Disclaimer: Go back to the prologue, or better yet I can say I'm Kanzaka and ditch this thing…

In response to Leigh: I'm pretty sure Dolphin does have her own minions, all the Mazoku do. All being in the water means is that her servants would have to be water-creatures as well (Makoneen is Japanese for "Whale").

Oh yes. Before I forget, I've worked out my own time calendar for the Slayers series.

Anything before the Kouma Sensou (War of the Monster's Ressurection/Fall) is labeled as the "Ancient Time". Anything after the KS is referred to as the AKS (After Kouma Sensou) Era. Thus this story is set in AKS 1012 (Which is how long ago it was, if you believe Xellos).

Oh yeah, a bit of clarification on Xerxes' appearance. That Draconic cannon thing he used on Xellos? It kind of looks like a bigger version of that Chimerical Shoulder guard Demia's bodyguard/sorcerer had in the Halciform episodes Slayers NEXT

Anywho, here we go…

INVERSE HUNTERS CHAPTER TWO

The field was large, quite large. It was green and flat. It was the ideal place for a picnic and other resting.

That is, if you ignored the large craters, fires and the dead sorcerer/sorceress corpses strewn over the place. And the two red-haired figures in the middle of it.

"Okay, I think we got most of the escapees, and those who're still alive won't be in a few moments regardless of whether or not we're here." Raltark commented and he casually strolled through the field of death.

Rashart, who was holding a bloody sword, began looking around, as if to identify the people. This of course would be difficult as most were either sliced apart or brunt to a crisp.

"Well, these are all males so I think you're right. Most of the femmes are still holed up at the camp thanks to bucket-head's…taste…" Rashart muttered with a hint of disgust.

"Quit whining or feeling sickened by it, you got as much a fill of negative or pain-derived energies from what he did…or is currently doing to the survivors…as I did. I admit he's a bit…distracted by his habits but we all have secrets, he just doesn't care to keep many."

Raltark suddenly looked as if he remembered something. "Besides, I doubt that's all he does. Wait, didn't one of the females escape? Can you see her body anywhere?"

"No…I guess we were so preoccupied by the males we didn't care to look for a femme. More than likely she headed for that nearby city while we were working…"

Raltark looked over at the mountains in their way. "Well, if she got over that she'll be exhausted, and if anything she'll only be able to tell anyone just the lowest levels of truth. And if what we learned from Xerxes' mind-siphon on the Trickster, she'll probably use what little knowledge she might know about us to seek out certain prey of ours passing though. We'll return to Xerxes for instructions."

The Royal Trumpets blared as the people quickly rushed to finish their decorations. Everything was to be in the best of shape and all the food must be ready. After all, it wasn't every day that the Seyruun Royal Family came passing through.

The people all ran as fast they could to get to the welcome area as the gates opened.

"Be honored, citizens! Your must honorable and noble ruler has arrived!" One of the Royal escorts declared as the entourage entered the city. Philionel, dressed in formal royal robes merely waved his hand.

"Jonathan, there is no need for such boasting. What the people think of me is their own decision. In fact, I am the honored one for having these people greet me with such respect!" The large man chortled as he, Amelia and their escorts entered.

One of the escorts, a large muscular blonde man, turned to one of his companions, the short redhead. "Hey Lina, why-"

Lina cut him off, "Gourry, the reason Phil is on this tour is that he feels that he should do something to renew the people's faith in the Royal family after that whole disaster with Alfred. We're here as bodyguards and because it's easy money and free food. Got it?"

Gourry nodded, "Uh, thanks, but I was going to ask why there are seats for us. I mean we're technically servants right?"

Lina blinked, and then looked at the banquet table. "Huh, you're right. I guess since we're bodyguards we're supposed to be closer." The third figure in their group, a slim, purplish haired young woman giggled. "Miss Lina, I think this is one of those, 'hear me out' situations. Why does it puzzle you that royal servants can sit close to nobles or royalty Gourry-dear?" Sylphiel inquired.

"Ah? It's just that usually at those big gatherings the servants would sit far from us-uh, the Regal-types.." Gourry said, quickly stopping himself.

"How do you know what happens at regal gatherings?"

"…Lucky guess?"

Lina arched an eyebrow; she could've sworn Gourry was trying to cover-up something. She dismissed the thought, Gourry never lied; in fact he was a bit too honest sometimes.

She turned her thoughts to something more appealing: the banquet food.

As she gazed at the crowd, she spotted a familiar face. With a smirk, she walked over and decided to greet the cowboy-attired fellow.

"Well hello there Miss Inverse! Been awhile hasn't it?" Chef Ashford replied kindly.

"Awhile? Yeah it has, about 6 months if I remember correctly…you know what I mean? Especially considering the Prince himself is here." Lina said, the devious smirk still on her face.

Ashford sweat dropped and chuckled. "Ya needn't worry ma'am, I got something special lined up for all of ya. Your hard work before won't go unrewarded." Ashford promptly walked off in the direction of his restaurant.

Lina walked back, visions of luscious Dragon Cuisine dancing around her mind. She was about to sit down at the table when a soft hand placed itself on her shoulder. She looked to see a somewhat-stern looking Sylphiel looking at her.

"Miss Lina, no! You know the banquet isn't until later! Prince Philioniel and Amelia have to tour the city and make speeches. You'll just have to show some patience." Sylphiel said motherly to the fiery sorceress. Lina glowered at her and remarkably, Sylphiel didn't back down. Despite her soft demeanor Sylphiel knew Lina and could see through her false rages. She knew she wouldn't really hurt her.

Lina continued to glower for a few more seconds until Sylphiel hit her with the final weapon: "You won't get paid or be allowed any more of the free privileges that came with being a royal guard unless you abide by the rules."

Lina promptly deflated and mumbled a few curses. "Fah, you're even worse than Zelgadis is sometimes with the reason and all that. The fact you sound so sweet about it makes it even worse. Alright, where's Gourry and Royals? Hey, wait, why aren't you with them?"

Sylphiel smiled slyly, something Lina never saw her do before. "Well, I knew you'd be coming here and decided I'd have to do something…"

"…"

Lina looked around for her group. She noticed them over to where the crowd's largest concentration was.

Ah well, at least it's nice to see Amelia finally getting over Alfred.

Lina walked over to where Gourry was while Sylphiel trailed behind. It was nice to have a nearly whole group without having a Dark Lord after them for once, although Zelgadis being Zelgadis had headed off for parts unknown in his search after Martina's wedding.

She was about to embark on another tedious few hours of the standard Royal touring, when she heard a voice…a rather weak and tired one…crying out.

"H—Help me…."

Everyone turned to see a woman…badly injured and bloody…stumbling through the crowd. Phil rushed forward and caught her in his arms as she passed out.

Phil looked up at the gaping people. "Quickly! Get a healer here and have space at an inn for us all! This woman needs help!"

The entirety of the biggest, best hotel in the city was given to Phil's Inner group (Phil, Amelia, Lina, Gourry and Sylphiel) for private usage while the guards set up outside. They quickly set the woman down on the master bed in a suite and did what they could.

Sylphiel was able to heal up the woman's injuries as best she could, but there were a few even her magic couldn't affect. She got off the bed and walked over to the others and sat down.

"I can't explain it, it's like the magic or whatever used to injure her can somehow repel my white magical energy," she said, puzzlement written on her face. She picked up a cup of tea and calmly sipped it.

"I do know those robes she's wearing though-"

"Yeah, the Sorcerer's Guild. But who could do something like this that healing won't fix it all up? And why is there a sorcerer Guilder out here?" Lina interjected.

"I believe I can answer that," a tired voice said. Everyone looked towards the bed and saw the tired looking woman face them. She tried to get out but was held back by Sylphiel.

"Miss, please. Your injuries aren't all healed and you're still exhausted."

The lady turned to Sylphiel and smiled. "You're right, don't suppose you'll let me get up and eat anything to recover hm?" Sylphiel blinked and then stepped back as Gourry helped the lady up and over to a dinner table where food for the rest of them had been prepared.

After she had eaten in a Lina-esque manner (Which everyone found acceptable considering what she had to go through), the sorceress leaned back and sighed.

"My God, I haven't eaten in days. Thank you." Philionel smiled at her. "Well, miss, it is the duty of a sovereign to look after his or her people, is it not? You were fortunate we were passing through."

The sorceress stared wide-eyed at the enormous mustached man and took notice of his attire. She stood up and walked over to bow when Amelia stopped her. "Oh no, please don't. You're tired and hungry. Don't strain yourself," she said kindly, helping her back to her seat.

"I-I don't know what to say…you don't even know me and you did all this." She blinked, and then her eyes widened. "Oh God, there was nothing after me, was there? Those horrible things…"

No that certainly got everyone's attention. They had assumed she had been going through the mountains and had been attacked by maybe a bandit gang Lina had missed (And was now eager to do away with). "You were attacked? That…that is totally UNJUST! Something must be done! Tell us where they are and I will make sure this does not go unpunished!" Amelia said enthusiastically.

The Sorceress stared at her in horror, "NO! No...you mustn't…those things…I wasn't attacked by bandits, it was those things we uncovered. Oh God, why wasn't there some kind of warning? All those others dead…" She trailed off.

Gourry spoke up "There were others with you? What's your name?"

"C-Carol. I…yes, there were others. I was part of a research group…" She looked around and froze at Lina. "W-wait…are you Lina…Inverse?"

Lina groaned, she was about to hear another of those tirades about her being the Dragon-Spooker, Enemy of all who live, etc etc…

"Oh yeah, that's her alright. But don't worry, she's not quite as bad as the stories say-" Gourry managed to get off before Lina elbowed him in the stomach.

"Yeah, I'm Lina Inverse."The reaction wasn't what she expected. Rather than a gasp of horror, Carol's face lit up. "Oh thank God! I can warn you now…those things we found are after you. At least they said so…our camp, if there are any other survivors they're being held there, over the western mountains. But I don't know if those creatures can be destroyed by conventional magic…"

"What creatures exactly…Mazoku? And what do you mean 'uncovered'?"

Carol looked tired suddenly "I'm sorry, the notes there will explain if the place hasn't been burned to the ground…I'm…I'm just so tired now." She said, holding her head wearily.

Sylphiel and Gourry helped her up and placed her on the bed. Phil looked contemplative and then spoke. "Miss Lina, if there are survivors from some kind of attack out there, I feel it as my duty to go and help those in need-"

"Hold it Phil, she said those things may be after ME. I've been sought after a little too many these last months. I'll go to this place and investigate myself. You can stay here and maybe look after Carol or finish the tour. I'll tell you what I find."

"Well, if you go I guess I do to." Gourry added.

Sylphiel stepped forward "If there are survivors they'll require white magical help, I'm in too."

Lina smiled at Gourry and Sylphiel and opened the window. He took Gourry's hand, though Sylphiel seemed a little depressed and flew out the window in the direction of the mountains with Sylphiel in back.

Little did they know that they were heading straight into the Lion's Den…